Solar energy industry workers perform a wide range of duties, from designing, building, repairing, and maintaining photovoltaic cells and solar power facilities to conducting research on new solar technologies; to assessing and purchasing land for solar facilities. They are also responsible for providing support services to scientific and technical workers and perform many other job duties. As of November 2013, nearly 142,700 people spent at least 50 percent of their work time on solar-related projects, according to The Solar Foundation.